Eisenkot Unveils Agenda to Reverse Netanyahu Policies as Israel's New Knesset Is Sworn In

On Tuesday, as Israel's newly elected Knesset members took their oaths in Jerusalem, Gadi Eisenkot, the man charged with building the country's next government, promised to undo many of Benjamin Netanyahu's policies. Eisenkot, a former military chief, has up to six weeks to assemble a coalition that would end the tenure of Israel's longest-serving prime minister.

Whether he can do it is not yet clear. But the new parliament does not have to wait for a coalition to act, and Netanyahu's opponents hold a solid majority in it. Eisenkot's bloc used the opening of the legislative session to introduce a set of bills aimed squarely at Netanyahu and his record: an official, government-led inquiry into Hamas's attacks of Oct. 7, 2023; term limits for the office of prime minister; and the reversal of changes the outgoing Netanyahu-led government made to curb the powers of the judiciary. How quickly, or how far, those bills will move was not immediately clear.

The bloc also began the process of replacing the Knesset speaker. A majority of members submitted signatures calling for the removal of Amir Ohana, who is backed by Netanyahu. That is the first step toward a vote on a successor, and it can happen before any government is formed. The post carries real weight, since the speaker decides which bills the Knesset takes up. The opposition has nominated Matan Kahana, a senior member of Eisenkot's Yashar party, and a vote could come as early as this week.

The day's rhetoric split along familiar lines. Eisenkot, who campaigned as a no-nonsense straight shooter, said before the ceremony that he wants a government all Israelis can trust, not one serving select factions. "We will act for all citizens of Israel, those who voted for us and those who did not," he said, citing deep commitment.

Netanyahu, whose bloc fell short of a majority, has sought to undermine the certified election results. He has repeated unsubstantiated claims that Arab-led parties "stole" the elections. In a speech after the ceremony he again said Arab politicians, who represent a minority making up 20% of Israel's population, cannot be trusted, and he went after Jewish opposition leaders who have signaled openness to partnering with Arab parties. Eisenkot has left that door open on conditions, including that such parties accept Israel's identity as a Jewish state and declare Hamas a terrorist group. "Are you prepared to be dependent on those whose goal is the destruction of the Jewish state?" Netanyahu asked.

Eisenkot called the speech "divisive" and "hate-filled," and said he was now even more convinced that Netanyahu is unfit to remain in office for even one more minute.

The result is an unusual transition. Netanyahu and his Cabinet stay in power as caretakers, while the new lawmakers can legislate. Court-imposed limits constrain the caretaker prime minister, yet he can still pursue appointments and could try to block new legislation. He keeps full authority over national security, including the military. Netanyahu renewed his argument that Jewish-led parties should form a unity government to confront the threat of an Iranian attack, urging them to set aside all other considerations, and said Israel should work to topple the Iranian government.

Eisenkot now begins meeting party leaders. If he fails within the allotted time, President Isaac Herzog is expected to offer Netanyahu the next chance to form a government. The speaker vote this week, and whether talks extend to Arab-led parties under Eisenkot's conditions, are the first things to watch.